U.S. makes history, and a Houston Texan and Dynamo were key

Michael Orozco of the United States celebrates after scoring a goal that will go down in U.S. history. Click on the image for more photos from the match and other games on a busy day of international soccer. (Photo by Miguel Tovar/Getty Images)

A son of a former Virginia Tech football player, FC Dallas star Brek Shea gave up Friday Night Lights at Bryan High to devote himself to playing soccer with the Houston Texans Soccer Club, which is one of the most prestigious youth club teams in America. The Houston Texans Soccer Club also developed former U.S. national team and Dynamo star Stuart Holden and Dynamo midfielder Alex Dixon.

“I grew up playing club there in Houston, so they built me,” Shea, 22, told me in June. “Dallas kind of built me in a different way, an older way. I represent both.”

The 6-3 Shea would make the 90-minute drive each way from Bryan to train in Houston with the Texans three or four times a week from the time he was 11 until he was called into residency camp with the Under-17 U.S. national team in 2005.

Geoff Cameron was a no-name third-round pick, the last guy taken in the 2008 SuperDraft when the Dynamo picked him much later than Shea, who went second overall as a teenager to FC Dallas.

Together, these kids who were developed in Houston made history tonight with the U.S. national team as the first Americans to ever win at Azteca Stadium. Sure, both teams were missing key players, and no star from Mexico’s Olympic Gold medalists played. Whatever the case, the U.S. has made history, and they made it with Cameron and Shea playing crucial roles. Cameron played all 90 minutes and was awesome. Shea was a late sub, making the crucial play that led to the winning goal in the 1-0 victory over its biggest rival.

“So proud of the guys making history,” said Brian Ching, the former U.S. national team star who played at Azteca against Mexico during his days with the national team. “That’s not an easy place to play. Hopefully this gives the team confidence that they can do it again in a qualifier.”

“This is a barrier-breaking moment,” said Texas A&M women’s soccer coach G. Guerrieri, whose Aggies are the top ranked team in the SEC this year. “We haven’t passed Mexico, but tonight was when the U.S. proved to ourselves that we really could beat anybody in a perceived impossible environment.”

Added Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear: “Friendly or not, this is a great result. I think it gives the U.S. confidence the next time they play in Mexico. I think it lets Mexico know America can win down south.”

As for Cameron, most soccer fans know how he evolved from a third-round pick to a player worthy of a contract with Stoke City of the English Premier League just a few weeks ago.

U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsman promised last year that he would mine the rich Latino community for talent, and that paid off quite well. Michael Orozco, a Mexican American, scored the winning goal. Edgar Castillo played great defense, and Herculez Gomez and Jose Torres also played well. All those guys are Mexican Americans who have received more important minutes under Klinsmann.

With the diversity in America, there is no reason the U.S. men’s national team shouldn’t dominate the world in soccer eventually, especially if American football prospects decide to play soccer instead of football. That’s what Shea did at Bryan High, where the coach got so mad at his “future” quarterback” that he kicked him out of the field house.

Shea was committed. Cameron was committed. And equally important, Tim Howard of New Jersey is the best goalkeeper in CONCACAF, as he showed today with a Man of the Match performance.

Some will try to downplay the significance of this U.S. victory, but history is history, and it was made tonight at Azteca Stadium, and Houston can be proud two stars who developed here played crucial roles. Cameron showed today that he should be the starting center back for the U.S. from now on, and Shea showed his quality yet again.

34 Responses

I love this country. I would support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law. I would give me life for this country. But when it comes to Futbol, I will root root root for my home country, Mexico. Great game guys.

If you listen to “Born in the USA” the refrain is great but the words are not crowning achievements of what it is to live in America. I learn that in reading a column by Ken Hoffman. Better to use “I am Proud to be an American”.

No one cares about the Olympics? Never mind the soccer bit, what planet are you living on. Suffice to say if no one cared about them then there wouldn’t be any coverage on it. Right? Because clearly there’s coverage of it.

Johnone – I think JohnGalt was merely pointing out that we took down the country that just won Olympic gold in the sport, not that we took down that exact same team. As for not qualifying for the Olympics, that was a failing of our U23 squad – unfortunate, but not the focus on a night when U.S. futility in Mexico was finally overcome.

I agree El Cid..It is for girls and it outta be called by its rightful name KICKBALL..With nets that big why are scores so low. I know it’s gotta be harder to shoot hoops and they score like like crazy.

since when is the landon donovan and tim howard part of the USA B team? Mexico had 4 players that play on the senior team and none of the olympic team players. USA still has a long way to prove themselves

This is futbol or football not like that sissy hand ball game called “football.” as a matter of fact only the U.S.A calls it soccer. I’m glad we won at the Azteca. Mexican pride thrown under the busnlol.

Why do non-soccer fans get so hissy about soccer? I like soccer and I like American football. Whatever.

So, why exactly did Mexico set up this game AND hold it at Azteca? We got match experience at altitude for some of our young guys, we broke one of the longest winless spells in sports, and we got to ruin el Tri’s big gold medal celebration!

Did they think that this would be a triumphant homecoming trouncing of the hated gringos? Sorry to disappoint! Glad they invited us to spoil the party.

Can I point out the obvious facts no one seems to wants to admit to? For the sake of us not sounding like ignorant idiots……
1. Neither team had their complete A squads out on display.
2.Yes, both squads had some stars and starters. US had roughly 9 or 10(out of 18) that can count as regulars, while Mexico had 10 or 11(out of 18) as well.
2. There is an age limit on Olympic soccer. Don’t yall people know that Olympic soccer teams are only allowed to take players under 23 plus, and 2 players of any age, to play at the Olympics.
3.These matches are more of a $$ thing nowadays. The media sensationalizes it a ton in hopes of drawing both tv ratings and crowds to stadiums. Apart from that they are just like any other tune up matches.
4.Yes, USA won in Mexico after a long time. As for USA fans, congratulations but don’t fall into the same thinking that Mexico has. You have to be consistently good against other teams that are NON-CONCACAF in order to consider yourself a top-notch team.
5.USA did not play the Mexican Olympic Squad because obviously there was a medal presentation to the Olympic team at the stadium.